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Eryngium creticum

Also Known As

Sea Holly

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 1'-2'
W: 1'-2'

planting zones

4a-10a

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Eryngium creticum plant details

Eryngium creticum is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial with green foliage. In summer blue flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees, beneficial insects and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Does well in average, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Eryngium creticum

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: apiaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 1 FT - 2 FT - tall
Flowers: blue blooms in summer
Uses: container plant, cutting garden, dried-arrangements, easy-to-grow, long-blooming, rare, rock garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Eryngium creticum

USDA Zones: 4a - 10a
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer and snail / slug, heat
Soil needs: average, gritty and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This RARE species of Sea Holly is noteworthy for its dense, rounded habit and profuse bloom. Native to shrub-steppes and rocky places in the Balkan Peninsula, Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt, it forms a delightful tangle of thin branches, from which pollinator-attracting metallic blue flowers appear throughout Summer. With their whorls of spiny bracts and domed central 1” flowers, they remind some of tiny blue pineapples! Famous for their toughness, Sea Hollies make a great addition to rock gardens and their modest 2’ size means you can tuck one in among other sun lovers. Showy enough to feature in a container and one of the best dried flowers. Give them sun, average soil with good drainage, a little water to start and then benign neglect! Cold hardy down to -15 degrees F

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Garden photo gallery of Eryngium creticum

Photo of Eryngium creticum flower by Eitan f

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By: Eitan f

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Gardening facts about Eryngium creticum plant

How to Grow Eryngium creticum

Sun Exposure
- sun - mostly sun
Water Needs
- regular - low
Soil Needs
- average
- well-drained
- gritty
Special Situation
- heat tolerant

Features

Foliage Color
- green
Flower Color
- blue
Wildlife
- beneficial insects
- bees
- butterflies
- deer resistant
- snail / slug resistant
Flower Season
- summer
Foliage Season
- semi-evergreen
Texture
- glossy